South Carolina Humanities is thrilled to announce the 30th SC Humanities Festival, celebrating three decades of enriching public humanities programming across the state. Since its inception in 1993, launched in honor of SC Humanities’ 20th anniversary, the festival has traveled to more than 23 communities, fostering connections through local history, arts, and storytelling. The 2025 Festival will be held in Lancaster County in partnership with the Lancaster County Council of the Arts on Friday, October 17 – Sunday, October 19.
“We are absolutely thrilled to bring the 30th annual South Carolina Humanities Festival to Lancaster! This is our moment to shine as we share the heart, history, and creative spirit of our community with the entire state,” said Eric Grace, Executive Director of the Lancaster County Council of the Arts. “We can’t wait to welcome guests to experience the arts, stories, and culture that make Lancaster so special.”
This milestone year marks a proud moment for the organization and for South Carolinians. What began as a regional initiative has blossomed into a prestigious statewide celebration engaging citizens in lectures, discussions, films, exhibits, performances, and other community-driven humanities experiences.
The festival will offer immersive experiences rooted in local identity and history. Attendees can expect:
- Thoughtful lectures and panel discussions featuring historians, artists, and authors
- Cultural exhibitions and film screenings highlighting the host region’s heritage
- Engaging public programming—including storytelling, performances, hands-on workshops, and youth-focused events
- Free and accessible participation, with many events open to the public
As SC Humanities’ signature statewide initiative, the SC Humanities Festival embodies the organization’s mission to inspire, engage, and enrich South Carolinians through history, visual arts, poetry, and more. Building on years of annual events, dating back to early investments in statewide programming, the festival continues to unite partners and audiences in thoughtful cultural exploration.
“Reaching the 30th Humanities Festival is incredibly meaningful for us,” said Dr. Jennifer Gunter, Executive Director of SC Humanities. “We’ve partnered with libraries, museums, scholars, artists—and most importantly, with communities themselves—to elevate South Carolina’s rich cultural heritage and shared stories —and a lasting sense of community, conversation, and culture.”
For media inquiries or additional details about the 30th SC Humanities Festival—including schedules, locations, and event highlights—visit the festival website at schumanities.org/annualevents/humanitiesfestival/ or contact SC Humanities at (803) 771-2477.
About South Carolina Humanities
The mission of SC Humanities is to enrich the cultural and intellectual lives of all South Carolinians. Established in 1973, this 501(c)3 organization is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors comprised of community leaders from throughout the state. It presents and supports literary initiatives, lectures, exhibits, festivals, publications, oral history projects, videos, and other humanities-based experiences that directly or indirectly reach more than 250,000 citizens annually. South Carolina Humanities receives funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities as well as corporate, foundation and individual donors. The National Endowment for the Humanities: Democracy demands wisdom.